View Royal firefighters lodge complaint with cops

View Royal Fire Rescue has lodged a complaint with the West Shore RCMP over campaign signs removed from boulevards on Helmcken Road.

About 20 “Vote Yes for a New Firehall” signs were removed overnight on Wednesday, Nov. 21. A total of about 50 signs have been either removed or vandalized over the course of the firefighter’s campaign in relation to a referendum on Saturday, Nov. 24.

“It is unfortunate that you anticipate in any campaign, some signs will be damaged or disappear, but this looks like a very specific and targeted removal,” Kent Galbraith, president of the View Royal Volunteer Firefighters Association, said in a press release. “These signs were paid for and installed by the volunteers, so to have them taken down is very disappointing.”

Acting Sgt. Kathy Rochlitz said it is a criminal offense to steal or vandalize election signs and that charges of mischief or damaging documents can be applicable.

RCMP are asking anyone with information to call the detachment at 250-474-2264 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.